Hubless Ship Propulsor with Rotatable Nozzle and Adjustable Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanically driven hubless ship propulsors lack the ability to generate thrust transversely to the direction of travel, requiring a rudder for maneuverability and resulting in increased resistance and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A gearless and rudderless ship propulsor design that allows for rotatable propulsors with adjustable rotor blades and a drive gear system, enabling thrust control and adaptation to flow conditions, reducing the need for a rudder and enhancing maneuverability and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rudder is used to ensure ship maneuverability, then the ship can be steered, but the overall resistance of the ship increases
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsor is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides both propulsion (thrust in direction of travel) and steering (transverse thrust) capabilities. By integrating rudder functions into the propulsor itself through rotatability and blade angle adjustment, the separate rudder component becomes unnecessary, eliminating its resistance while maintaining maneuverability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the propeller and rudder into a single integrated propulsor unit. The propulsor can generate thrust in both the longitudinal direction (for propulsion) and transverse direction (for steering), combining what were previously separate components into one multifunctional system that reduces overall resistance.
2Ease of operation
If the propulsor is made rotatable to improve maneuverability, then steering control is enhanced, but the torque requirement of the rotors increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The propulsor features dynamically adjustable blade angles that can be optimized for different operating conditions. When the propulsor is rotated to a transverse position for steering, the blade angles are adjusted to optimize performance at that orientation, allowing the system to maintain efficiency across different thrust directions without excessive torque requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (blade angles, rotation position) to adapt to different maneuvering requirements. By adjusting these parameters, the propulsor can generate the necessary transverse thrust for steering while managing the torque requirements within acceptable limits for the available power system.
3Productivity
If the rotor blades are individually angle-adjustable to adapt to local flow conditions, then the efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor blades are equipped with automatic angle adjustment mechanisms that respond to local flow conditions without requiring complex external control systems. Each blade can independently adjust its angle to optimize performance based on the instantaneous flow environment, providing self-regulating efficiency enhancement while limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design improves ship maneuverability, reduces overall resistance, and enhances dynamic positioning capabilities, particularly in rough seas, with increased efficiency and reduced wear on mechanical components.
Implementation Method 1
the rotating blades of the rotors are individually angle-adjustable and can be continuously adjusted with each rotation in terms of their angular position to local flow conditions
Implementation Method 2
the drive energy being transferred to the rotors via gear rings provided on the outer ring of the rotors
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The Schiffs-propulsor has wings which are arranged in a ring. The ring gears (19,20) are coupled with the pinion (2) for transmitting a rotational movement, through a drive shaft (1). The rotors (4,5) are arranged in a nozzle. The rotating vanes of the rotors are formed such that angle of vanes is adjustable individually and continuously during each revolution regarding angular position on local flow conditions. The inflow of nozzle is adjustable such that nozzle is rotatable with rotor by 360 degrees around a vertical axis.